Meet the Current Casts of Broadway's Long Running Hits - ONCE!

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters .

BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's ONCE below!

ONCE is based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film and plays on Broadway at the Bernard B. JacobsTheatre (242 West 45th Street). The production opened to rave reviews on Sunday, March 18, 2012. ONCE won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production was also named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critic Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards. The original cast featured Steve Kazee and Cristin MIlioti.

ONCE features a book by award-winning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh (Penelope, Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom), the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, direction by the acclaimed John Tiffany (Black Watch), movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!).

Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, Once draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all.

PAUL ALEXANDER NOLAN (Guy)

Paul returns to Broadway having last been seen as Jesus in the 2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. He originated that role at The Stratford Festival of Canada where he was also seen as Cousin Kevin in The Who's Tommy, Tony in West Side Story, Orlando in As You Like It and Al Joad in The Grapes Of Wrath. Last year San Diego audiences saw him as Ben Nickel in the World Premiere of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots at the La Jolla Playhouse conceived and directed by Des McAnuff and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips. Also in the United States he was Radames in Aida at Kansas City Starlight. TV/Film: "Will," "Something's Coming" (BravoFACT), "Alex" (Shapeshifter) and "Schumacher" (Strike!).

JESSIE FISHER (Girl)

Jessie is making her Broadway debut. She is a Chicago based actor/teacher/improviser/musician. Chicago credits include work at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, About Face, The Gift, The Hypocrites and TimeLine. TV: "Boss". Education: University of Colorado, School at Steppenwolf. She is half of the folk duo Erik and Jessie and is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. Gratitude to this incredible company, especially all the understudies and standbys, making magic at a moment's notice.

LAUREL GRIGGS (Ivanka)

Laurel is thrilled to be back on Broadway in Once! She made her Broadway debut in the 2012 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Other acting credits include numerous voiceovers and commercials. Laurel would like to thank her parents and grandparents for their love and support, MKS&D and Abrams Artists.

DAVID PATRICK KELLY (Da)

Broadway: Twelfth Night, Uncle Vanya, The Government Inspector, Working. Off-Broadway: Once, When I Come to Die, Ghosts, Pearls for Pigs, The Cure, Arturo Ui. Regional: Woyzeck, Enrico IV, Tartuffe, Othello. Film & TV: The Warriors, Wild at Heart, Flirting With Disaster, Flags of Our Fathers, Crooklyn, "Twin Peaks," "Gossip Girl," "Louie." Awards: Obie Award for Sustained Excellence. www.DavidPatrickKelly.com.

KATRINA LENK (Réza)

Broadway: The Miracle Worker; and most recently, Arachne in Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark; NYC: Last Dance (York Theatre), Camille (Bard Summerscape). Regional: Lost Land (Steppenwolf Theatre);iWitness (Mark Taper Forum); Elemeno Pea, Cloudlands, and Caucasian Chalk Circle (SouthCoast Repertory); the title role inLovelace: A Rock Opera (LA Weekly and Garland Award winner). Film/TV: Crime Fiction, Arthur & the Bunnies, "According to Jim," others. When not fiddlin' for Broadway, she plays viola in her music project, moxy phinx. www.katrinalenk.com.

BRANDON MCGIBBON (Švec)

Broadway Debut. Toronto: La Ronde, What the Butler Saw (Soulpepper), Forests, The Misanthrope, Courageous, Sideman, Skylight (Tarragon), The Producers (Dora Award Nomination), Boys in the Photograph (Mirvish), The Tempest (Canandian Stage), George F. Walker's Suburban Motel and East End Plays (Factory) Film: Skating to New York, Wolves, Picture Day, Foxfire, Splice. TV: "Republic of Doyle," "Murdoch Mysteries," "Alphas," "Certain Prey," "Flashpoint," "Rookie Blue," "The Line." His music has appeared in the film Picture Day and the show Good God.

ANNE L. NATHAN (Baruška)

Broadway: Sunday in the Park With George (Nurse, Mrs, Harriet),Chicago (Mama Morton), Assassins (Emma Goldman), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Flannery), Ragtime. Off-Broadway: Wings (Second Stage), Road Show (The Public); National tours: LES MISERABLES, Aspects of Love. Regional: Kansas City Rep, George Street, the Huntington, the Citadel. Film & TV: Baby Mama, King of California, "The Good Wife," "Dirt," "Law & Order (SVU, Criminal Intent, Trial By Jury)," "Veronica Mars." Web series: "Submissions Only." www.AnneLNathan.com.

MADELINE PACE (Ivanka)

Madeleine, age six, is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut in Once. She started dancing at age two while living in London and has loved being on stage ever since. Special thanks to Shirley Grant Management, her family, teachers, and her dog, Jelly Bean, for their support.

SCOTT STANGLAND (Eamon)

Scott is making his Broadway debut. Chicago credits: The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Eastland (Lookingglass Theatre Company); and Mourning Becomes Electra (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company). TV credits: "Crisis," "Chicago Fire" (NBC), "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" (TNT); Film credits: Contagion, and End of the Tour. Scott received his MFA from The Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. As a musician, Scott also plays in the band Youth in a Roman Field. www.scottstangland.com.

ANDY TAYLOR (Bank Manager, Music Captain)

Broadway: Moon Over Buffalo (Howard) with Carol Burnett, One Touch of Venus (Rodney Hatch), Titanic. Broadway tours: The Producers (Leo Bloom), Cabaret (Ernst), Mamma Mia! (Harry). Off-Broadway/regional: leading roles with The Public, Goodman, Guthrie, South Coast Rep, Globe, Mark Taper Forum, Geffen, Act, Intiman, Reprise, Vineyard theatres and Carnegie Hall. Film/TV: Geezers, The Sunshine Boys, "Law & Order," "CSI," "As the World Turns." 2010 Ovation Award nominee, Best Featured Actor; Drama-Logue Award. Oberlin Conservatory graduate. Cello debut at Carnegie Hall, June 1992.

RYAN VONA (Andrej)

Ryan couldn't be happier to make his Broadway debut and join the Once family! Recent credits: The Valentine Trilogy (Circuit Theatre Company); Rent; Kiss Me, Kate (Penn State Centre Stage); The Tempest (RADA). He would like to thank Jim Carnahan, Stephen Kopel, John, Martin and Steven for this opportunity, his PSU and Adler families, Mom, Dad, Steph, Georgie and every person who has helped him get to this moment.

ERIKKA WALSH (Ex-Girlfriend, U/S girl, U/S Réza)

Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Once (NYTW). Regional: Alice vs. Wonderland (A.R.T.), Striking 12 (SpeakEasy Stage Company), Blood Wedding (Woodshed Collective), Urban Death (Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Pericles (Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre). MFA: ART/MXAT Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University.

PAUL WHITTY (Billy)

Broadway debut! Other credits include Broadway: The Full Monty (understudy). Off-Broadway: Once (NYTW), Violet (Encores! Off-Center), A Thick Description of Harry Smith (New Dramatists), Twelfth Night (Sonnet Rep) Regional: Once (ART), reasons to be pretty, Art (Crescent Stage), Circle Mirror Transformation (PURE Theatre), Doubt, War of the Worlds (Village Rep) Film/TV: Song One, National Lampoon's Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell, "Law & Order SVU," "Guiding Light" BFA -UNCSA, For Mom & Dad.

J. MICHAEL ZYGO (Emcee, U/S Guy, Dance Captain)

Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: Once (NYTW), Man of Rock (NYMF). Tours: Rock of Ages (1st nat'l), The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart),Oklahoma! (1st nat'l, Will Parker), Annie (Rooster). Regional: The Last Five Years (Jamie), The Full Monty (Jerry). Film: Rock of Ages(featured dancer), Waiting for Shankman (performer, writer, director). Thanks always to God. Thanks to the incredible creative team, cast and crew, Dulcina, Barry, Julia, my family and my amazing wife Jill! www.thezygos.com.

JOANNE BORTS (U/S Baruška)

Broadway/Tours: Fiddler; Cinderella; Funny Girl. Off-Broadway: On Second Avenue; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh; Kids & Yiddish; Night in the Old Marketplace; The Golden Land; Concerts: Showboat(Carnegie Hall) Lincoln Center, Disney Concert Hall. Recording:Witches of Lublin (NPR); Milken Archive (Naxos). Proud Equity Member. www.JoanneBorts.com @LushandHora. For my family, my agent and my teachers.

BRANDON ELLIS (U/S Bank Manager, Billy, Andrej, Švec, Eamon)

I love this show! Broadway: Company 06′ (Tony award- best revival). Off-Broadway: (writer/actor) BALLS...the musical?. TV/Film: "30 rock," Naked Brother's Band, She Wolf Rising. Love to mom and dad, Jenn, Willard Ray, KSR, Ben Roseberry, Colin McAdoo, Nick Robyn. I'm in an awesome band-website: www.mikoandthemusket.com. UNCG BFA in acting.

ELISABETH EVANS (U/S Girl, Réza, Ex-Girlfriend)

Elisabeth is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut! Graduate of the University of Michigan, BFA in Musical Theatre. Credits include Sunday in the Park with George, Spring Awakening, and Crazy for You. A huge thank you to Mom, Dad, Juliet, Emily, Erica, MTM, Stephen Kopel, Carnahan casting, teachers and friends!

BEN HOPE (Standby Guy)

Ben is thrilled to make his Broadway debut! Ben received his BFA in musical theatre from UCF. Regional: Hank Williams in Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Buddy Holly in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Ben is the leader of the honky tonk band Ben Hope and the Uptown Outfit (uptownoutfit.com). Much love to family and friends.

DON NOBLE (U/S Da, Eamon, Emcee)

Broadway: End of the Rainbow. National tour: Mamma Mia! (Sam). Regional: Emma (Old Globe), To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus Finch, Capital Rep), James Joyce's The Dead (Gabriel), Funny Girl (Nicky Arnstein), An Ideal Husband (Lord Goring), Candida (Rev. Morell),Blood Brothers (Narrator), Henry IV, The Tempest, Elizabeth Rex. Thanks Mum and Dad for the music!

SHANNON O'BOYLE (Standby)

Broadway debut! Regional favorites include the title role of the new rock musical Lizzie (Playhouse Square), Vivienne (Legally Blonde); NY: The Story of Jo-Beth, The Circus in Winter. Shannon is a proud graduate of Baldwin-Wallace. Love and gratitude to Ben, Vicky, Mr. C.,Tony, Nicolosi, Stephen and Carnahan Casting. www.shannonoboyle.com, @shansoboyle.

ARI MCKAY WILFORD (U/S Eamon, Andrej, Švec, Emcee)

Broadway debut! Beyond excited to be part of this amazing show. Originated the role of Thad in Gay Bride of Frankenstein. Huge thanks to my wonderful family and friends, Doug, Tim, Adrienne, Ashley Kate, Cindy, Stephen Kopel and Jim Carnahan, and all the creatives. Ari is also a singer/songwriter.

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